Lamp socket and circuit connecting means for edge lighted panel



June 6, 1961 M. J. PEAK EI'AL 2,987,695

LAMP SOCKET AND CIRCUIT CONNECTING MEANS FOR EDGE LIGHTED PANEL Filed April 26, 1957 FIG 5 RODGER H. JENSEN MAlTLAND J. PEAK wow 9 477D NEKS INVENTORS United States Patent Calif., and Rodger H. Jensen, 3515 Ocean View Road,

Los Angeles, Calif.

Filed Apr. 26, 1957, Ser. No. 655,339 7 Claims. (Cl. 339-130) This invention relates generally to a lamp socket and circuit connecting means therefor and more specifically to an improved lamp socket and circuit connecting means particularly adaptable for mounting on edge lighted panels.

The present application is a continuation-in-part of applicants co-pending application Serial Number 589,898, filed June 7, 1956, and entitled Lamp Socket for Edge Lighted Panel, now issued as Patent Number 2,847,654. This application discloses and teaches an improved lamp socket structure preferably employed with the printed circuit type edge-lighted panel developed by applicants, as set forth in Patent No. 2,847,560 dated August 12, 1958.

It will be appreciated that in addition to the printed circuit means invented by applicant to form electrical connections on the panel surface among a plurality of sockets, electrical circuit connecting means must also be incorporated with the panel design in order to provide a primary source of electrical power to the panel. For example, Patent No. 2,847,560 indicates terminals 14 and 18 for this purpose, as connected respectively to leads and 19 (see FIGURES 1 and 2 of the lattermentioned patent). Such a construction is entirely feasible; however, in the interests of manufacturing economy and reduction of weight, it is desirable that connections may be made directly to one of the lamp sockets provided in the panel.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an improved lamp socket and circuit connecting means for an edge lighted panel, wherein the lamp socket itself is constructed so as to embody conductive means for connection to a source of electrical power.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a lamp socket in accordance with the aforesaid object and improved connector means adapted to co-function therewith.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are generally attained by providing a lamp socket for mounting in an aperture of an edge lighted panel, which comprises a generally cylindrical fixture dimensioned to be received in the aperture and extend therethrough. The fixture has a first end protruding above an upper surface of the panel. A nut is threadedly connected to the outer periphery of this first end and a cap is threadedly connected to the inner surface of the nut. The fixture has a second end which is diametrically greater than the maximum width of the aperture such that the peripheral portion of the second end is adapted to contact a lower surface of the panel. In addition, a first conductive means or member is connected to and extends axially away from the second end. Another second conductive member is radially spaced from the first conductive member, and the second conductive member extends through the aperture to contact the upper surface of the panel.

In a preferred construction, the improved lamp socket as described above co-functions with an improved connector means comprising a cylindrical conductive shell, a female connector co-axially disposed therein and adapted to receive a first conductive means, and a cylindrical insulator radially interposed between said cylindrical conductive shell and said female conductor. The cylindrical shell is designed to have an internally increased diameter portion, whereby the second conductive means may be received therein in engagement with this portion and the exterior surface of the insulator.

A better understanding of the present invention will be had by reference to the drawings, showing illustrative embodiments, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a sectional view through a lamp socket in its mounted position on an edge lighted panel;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view of a modification of the lower end of the socket of FIGURE 1 to embody first conductive connecting means according to the present invention;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view of the lower end of the lamp socket of FIGURE 1 modified to incorporate first connecting means and second connecting means in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view through a connector adapted to be received on a connecting means of either FIGURE 2 or FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view of another connector adapted to be received on the connecting means of FIG- URE 2 or FIGURE 3; and,

FIGURE 6 is a plan view of a terminal lug employed with the connectors of FIGURES 4 and 5.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in FIG- URE 1 a lamp socket 10 mounted on an edge lighted panel 11, the latter being of a construction similar to that shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 of the above referred to applicants Patent Number 2,847,560.

The socket 10 includes a metallic cap 12 provided with a lower, open end 13. The end 13 of the cap 12 is externally threaded for connection to threading 14 within the upper portion of an annular metallic nut 15. The nut 15 is additionally provided with threading 16 for connection to a fixture 17, which extends through and protrudes above one surface of the panel 11.

The upper end of the cap 12 is provided with an inner cup section 18, within which is resiliently held a spiral spring 19. The spring 19 is adapted to engage one terminal of a lamp 20. The spiral spring 19 is held within the cup section 18 of the cap 12 by an insulating sleeve 21 having a lower outwardly flanged end 22 secured between the lower end 13 of the cap 12 and the nut 15.

The fixture 17 includes a cylindrical translucent plastic shell 23, within which is imbedded a conducting member comprising a metallic cylindrical section 25 which is integrally formed with a plurality of legs or posts 26 connecting with a base 27. The base 27 is in turn juxtaposed on an increased diameter thin flange 28. The flange 28 is adapted to contact the printed circuit on the backside of the panel 11.

The lamp 20 is conductively gripped within the cylindrical section 25 through the spring-like action of slots 29 therein. Thus, the fingers formed by the slots in the cylindrical section 25 are of slightly less diameter than the diameter of metallic band around the lamp 20.

The annular nut 15 is preferably counterbored at its lower end to provide an inner shoulder 30 adapted to accommodate a spring washer or resilient spacer 31. With such a construction, when the nut '15 is screwed down onto the fixture 17 the washer 31 will be sprung tightly into position between the nut 15 and the printed circuitry on the upper face of the panel 11.

It will be appreciated with the foregoing described construction, that current will flow in one direction from the printed circuit on the upper surface of the panel 11 through the spacer 31, the nut 15, the metallic side walls of the cap 12, and thereafter through the spring 19 through the upper terminal of the lamp 20. The other circuit is from the flange 28 up through the post 3. 26 to the cylindrical section 25 of the conducting member, and thereafter through the metallic band'of the lamp 20.

The primary feature and purpose of the present invention is to modify the lamp socket structure as heretofore described in order to embody circuit connecting means adapted to co-operate with novel connector structures.

Assuming that connections to the circuitry on the upper surface of the panel are made separately, connections to the printed circuitry on the lower surface of the panel 11 may be made through the lamp socket itself by a modification in accordance with theshowing of FIG- URE 2. In this view, the base member 32 replaces the base member 27 of FIGURE 1. The base member 32 is provided with a first connecting means in the form of a male jack 33 extending outwardly therefrom in an axial direction, whereby it may be received in a connector to be hereinafter described.

However, in the usualconstmction it is desirable to provide connections to both the printed circuitry on the upper surface of the panel and the printed circuitry on the lower surface of the panel through connection means made at one point on one side of the panel. In such case, the construction shown in FIGURE 3 is desirably employed. In this figure it will be noted that a base member 34 is provided, which is similar to the base member 32 of FIGURE-2 in that'it is provided with a male jack 35. It differs only in the respect that it is further provided with a pair of oppositely disposed slots 36. another conductive means or connecting member 37 which has legs 38 extending upwardly through the slots to terminate in ends interposed between the spacer 31 and printed circuitry on the upper surface of the panel.

With such a construction, it will be appreciated that the connector means 37 provides a conductive link to the upper printed circuitry, while the male jack 35 provides conductive means to the printed circuitry on the lower panel surface. In order to prevent shorting, an insulating member or wafer 39 is interposed between the base member 34 and aradially extending portion 37a of the conductor means 37. It is additionally desirable to provide a plastic coating around the inner edge of the slots 36, such that the legs 38 of the conducting, member 37 will not contact the flanged portion of the base 34. i

'Another important feature of the present invention embodies the design of connectors adapted to co-operate with either the single circuit conducting means shown in FIGURE 2, or the two-circuit means-shown in FIGURE 3. Alternative preferred constructions for such a connector are shown in FIGURES 4 and 5.

Referring now to FIGURE 4, there is shown a backing plate 4i of conventional construction, which is adapted to be juxtaposed flush with the back surface of the panel 11. The backing plate 41 is apertured and counterbored to receive a conducting cylindrical shell 42 provided with a flanged end 43. The shell 42 is provided with peripheral threading 44, whereby a nut 45 may be received thereon to firmly secure the connector to the backing plate 41. In one form, a terminal lug 46 may be interposed between the nut and the bottom surface of the backing plate 41, with which a connection may be made for one circuit.

The terminal lug 46 is more clearly shown in the view of FIGURE 6 as comprising a ring portion 47 adapted to be received about the threaded periphery 44 of the cylindrical shell 42. In addition, an arm 48 is provided including an aperture 49, wherein the particular electrical connection may be made. a

In order to firmly lock the connector into the panel 41, it is desirable to provide a keyhole or aperture 59 at one point below the flanged end 43 so as to receive The slots 36 are designed to accommodate 4 a depending arm or key lock 51 which will lock the shell 42 from rotation.

The shell 42 is provided at its upper end with an innet, increased diameter portion or annular recess 52, adapted to receive, for example, the lower end of the conductor member 37, 'as'shown in FIGURE 3.

Bonded within the conductive shell 42 is insulating means in the form of a ceramic sleeve 53. In turn, within-the sleeve 53 is a female member or insert 55 bored at 56 vto accommodate the male members 33 or 35 of FIGURES 2 andx3, respectively. At the lower end of the insert, as viewed in FIGURE 4, may be provided a screw terminal 57 having a threaded aperture 58 to make a conventional screw electrical connection. The connector shown in FIGURE 5 merely represents a modification of the connector shown in 54 wherein the nut 45 of FIGURE 4 is not employed. The numerals shown in FIGURE 4 also relate to the structure shown in FIGURE 5..

In FIGURE 5, it will be noted that the upper end of the outer metallic shell 60 is swedged at 61 so as to be received on an angular counterbore 62 thereby .retaining the connector firmly on the backing plate in view of the increased diameter section 60a. In this alternative form, a solder type terminal .63 may be employed instead of the screw terminal 57, if so desired.

It is evident from the foregoing description that applicants have provided in the present invention a. novel and improved structure for a lamp socket circuit connecting means and connectors for use therewith, the improved structures being particularly adaptable to printed circuit type ofedge lighted panels as disclosed in applicants PatentINumber 2,847,560. It will be appreciated, however, that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the iu-' vention as set forth in the following claims.

.What is claimed is: i

. '1. In combination with a-lamp socket mounted in an aperture of an edge lighted panel: first conductive means extending axially'from one portion of said socket and projecting beyond a surface of said panel; second conductive means spaced radially outwardlyfrom said first conductive means and extending from another portion of said socket; connector means comprising a cylindrical conductive shell, a female connector co-axially disposed therein and adapted to receive said first conductive means, a cylindrical insulator radially interposed between said cylindrical conductive shell and said female connector, respectively, said shell having an internally increased diameter portion, whereby said second conductive member may be received therein in engagement with said increased diameter portion and the exterior surface of said insulator. V

2. The combination according to claim 1, and a backing plate provided with an aperture having a counter bored portion on one surface thereof, said cylindrical conductive shell having an increased diameter flanged end, whereby said shell is adapted to extend through said aperture and have its flanged end received in said counterbored portion.

3. The combination according to claim 2, in which an intermediate outer peripheral portion of said cylindrical conductive shell is threaded, and a nut for mounting thereon.

4. The combination according to claim 1, in which an intermediate outer peripheral portion of said cylindrical conductive shell is of a diameter greater than the diameterof said aperture. 7

5. In combination with a lamp socket for mounting in an aperture of an edge lighted panel having an upper surface and .a lower surface: a first conductive member extending axially from one end portion of said socket and projecting beyond said lower surface of said panel; and, a second conductive member radially spaced from said first conductive member, said second conductive member having one portion thereof projecting beyond said lower surface of said panel and another portion thereof extending through said aperture for contacting said upper surface of said panel, and said second conductive member including a radially extending portion interposed between and connecting said one portion and said another portion and spaced in encircling relationship about said first conductive member, said radially extending portion being positioned adjacent said one end portion of said socket; and insulating means interposed between said radially extending portion and said one end portion of said socket.

6. In combination with an edge-lighted panel having at least one lamp socket: first conductive means connected to said lamp socket and extending outwardly from and projecting beyond a surface of said panel; second conductive means connected to said lamp socket and spaced radially outwardly from said first conductive means and extending outwardly from said surface of said panel; connector means comprising a cylindrical conductive shell, a female connector co-axially disposed therein and adapted to receive said first conductive means, a cylindrical insulator radially interposed between said cylindrical conductive shell and said female connector, respectively, said shell having an internally increasel diameter portion, whereby said second conductive member may be received therein in engagement with said increased diameter portion and the exterior surface of said insulator.

7. In combination with an edge-lighted panel having at least one lamp socket to which is connected first conductive means and second conductive means both extending outwardly from a surface of said panel: connector means comprising a cylindrical conductive shell, a female connector co-axially disposed therein and adapted to receive said first conductive means, a cylindrical insulator radially interposed between said cylindrical conductive shell and said female connector, respectively, said shell having an internally increased diameter portion, whereby said second conductive member may be received therein in engagement with said increased diameter portion and the exterior surface of said insulator.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,362,992 Haywood et al. Dec. 21, 1920 2,446,317 Wilshusen Aug. 3, 1943 2,637,802 Roper et al. May 5, 1953 2,677,045 MacArthur Apr. 27, 1954 2,681,980 Harrington June 22, 1954 2,762,024 Heath Sept. 4, 1956 2,803,000 Johanson Aug. 13, 1957 2,847,654 Peak et al. Aug. 12, 1958 2,860,234 Stevens Nov. 11, 1958 

